Nathalia cut him short. "You have two choices. One, take the money and let Sophie and me leave. The second choice is we all die together. You have ten seconds to decide. One, two..."

"Wait, wait. Let's talk. Why don't..." the man cried out anxiously.

​​

Nathalia ignored him. "Three, four..." she went on. She knew very well that she needed bravery and strategy to win this game.

Her voice echoed in the cold and empty warehouse. Each number was like a step towards the gate of death. The men looked at each other, almost in tears, waiting for their boss to make a decision.

One of them broke down and shouted at the stout man, "Boss, let's take the money and go. Please. She's insane.

Another one joined in, "Boss, she's not scared of dying, but we are! I don't want to die!"

They didn't care about feeling shameful for losing to a girl. It was a matter of life and death.

"Come on, boss! This girl isn't normal. We don't want to get exploded!"If I live this time, I will never want to see her again. The cameraman thought to himself while praying for himself.

The stout man didn't speak. Like a statue, he stood there frozen, glaring at Nathalia.

The others couldn't take it anymore and slowly moved towards the door. "Boss, we are leaving. You decide for yourself."

Nathalia moved the lighter steadily closer to the bombs. "Eight, nine."

"No!" Terrified, the stout man screamed.

'Bang!' the door swung open all of a sudden. Nathalia dived forward and rolled herself into the corner instantly.

Bullets flew around; the men screamed in pain; blood was all over the floor. Within seconds, all the men were shot down, groaning, struggling on the floor.

"Nathalia? Nathalia?" Spencer rushed in, looking around nervously and calling for Nathalia.

"I'm here." She was sitting in the corner, her forehead covered with sweat, breathing heavily from exhaustion. Spencer ran to her instantly, took the bombs off her, and threw it away.

He embraced her, feeling her warm body in his arms, comforting his worried heart. How he wished he had a magician's wand and could cast a spell of protection on her whenever he wanted so that he wouldn't need to be scared of losing her anymore.

Nathalia surrendered herself in his embrace and stroked his back gently. She understood how much he had been worried. It was her idea. She wanted to do this. It was life-risking, yet he supported her despite the heavyweight of anxiety on his heart.

Thinking that she was out there facing danger all on her own while he had to stay behind and wait was torturing to him.

She understood and thus felt grateful for his support and trust. He's always here for me, with me.

When he finally calmed down, he let her free from his squeezing hug and checked on her up and down, "Babe, are you ok? Are you hurt?"

Nathalia smiled sweetly, "I'm wearing the super bulletproof vest, remember? I'm all good. Don't worry, honey." They had planned and prepared well, but Spencer still couldn't help worrying. There were so many ifs in his mind.

He embraced her again as he heaved a sigh of relief. "That's good. That's good. You are safe now, babe." Then he picked her up, carrying her in his arms to leave. He wanted to get out of the place as soon as possible.

The bodyguards were checking on the bodies on the floor. The smell of blood filled the air, and the screaming of pain echoed. None of the men was dead but shot in their limbs mainly.

"Wait, Sophie? How is she?" Nathalia suddenly recalled and asked. It had been too exhausting for her to think properly now. I didn't hear her.

Spencer turned around, looked up, and said, "She's fainted" while thinking, she isn't even half as brave as my Nathalia.

Noticing that Sophie wasn't moving at all, Nathalia was still worried. Did she really just faint? Is she ok? Spencer could sense that Nathalia was worried, so he assured her, "Don't worry. The bodyguards will look after her."

Nathalia insisted, waiting for the bodyguards to rescue Sophie. She made sure that Sophie was fine and felt relieved. Now I can let Lisa know Sophie is safe. She thought.

Just as they were about to leave, Matt rushed in with a gun. He was sweating and breathing heavily. Onsight of the bloody scene, he was stunned. Then he saw Nathalia in Spencer's arms.

Worriedly and a bit guiltily, he asked, "Nathalia, are you ok? I'm sorry. I'm too late."

He felt remorseful, seeing her pale face and fragile body.

Nathalia replied with a smile, "I'm fine. Thanks for coming anyway." She sounded polite and neutral.

Matt felt relieved and wiped the sweat off his forehead. There was sadness in his eyes. He had asked everyone he knew that could help at the police station to get the location. Though he had tried the hardest he could, he was late. Again. It seemed that every time, he was there just a bit too late. Just a bit. Yet, it made such a big difference.

"Matt! You are here. I was so frightened." Sophie ran towards Matt into his arms, sobbing. She hugged him tight as if holding onto the last hope of life, crying out loud, letting out all the fear and pain in her.

It felt like a nightmare, and the fear still lingered after waking up.

Matt didn't cuddle her nor push her away, his hands hanging above her back, looking a bit awkward. "You are safe now. Don't worry."

Nathalia pouted her lips and exchanged a look with Spencer. Spencer lifted his eyebrows, then took a look at them and turned around to leave.

Matt knitted his brows, not knowing how to react, then he caught sight of the men struggling on the floor. A sudden sense of anger gripped his heart. He pushed Sophie away, marched towards the stout man, and gave him a hard kick. "Who hired you?!" He demanded.

The stout man had been shot at both legs and couldn't get up. The little pool of blood around him was expanding slowly.